Mark Fistric of the Dallas Stars has been suspended three games for his hit on Nino Niederreiter of the New York Islanders. The play concussed Niederreiter.
Mark Fistric Suspended Three Games For Hit On Nino Niederreiter
The Dallas Stars will be without defenseman Mark Fistric for three games. He’s been suspended for his hit on Islanders forward Nino Niederreiter
Brendan Shanahan of the NHL's Department of Player Safety made the announcement on NHL.com Wednesday afternoon.
No penalty was handed out on the play, but in the estimation of the league, Fistric “left his feet and launched upwards” into Niederreiter, a play that falls under the charging rule.
As for Fistric’s skates leaving the ice on the hit, Shanahan explained that the league felt that “the degree” to which this happened was “evidence of his dangerous launch” into Niederreiter. The league failed to note whether or not there was contact with the head on the play, and considering they didn’t cite Rule 48 for an Illegal Check to the Head, it’s clear they don’t feel that was the case on this play.
Stars fans aren’t necessarily upset with the suspension, just that it seems inconsistent with other rulings.
Fistric will be eligible to return to the Stars lineup on Thursday, December 15 with the team travels to take on Niederreiter’s New York Islanders. In the meantime, he’ll forfeit $16,216.23, which will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
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